Charles l



(No Model.)

0. L. RAZOUX. MACHINE POR'TRIMMING AND CUTTING PHOTOGRAPHS.

No. 541,503. Patented June 25, 18.95.

I the cutter an overhanging graduated scaleor UNHE STATES- LATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. RAZOUX, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM B. HANDY, SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR TRIMMING OR CUTTING PHOTO GRAPHS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,503, dated June 25, 1895,

Application filed February 18, 1893- Serial No. 462,856- (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. RAZOUX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Trimming or Cutting Photographs, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a machine for trimming or cutting photographs whereby the work may be done more expeditiously and with greater exactness than with machines now in use.

The invention consists of a flat board having at its front end a cutter of peculiar construction, and on one side at right angles to rule whereby the size of the picture may be 'gaged and squared to the desired size.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of a machine for trimming or cutting photographs embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front end view showing the cutters. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line was of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the cutters. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the board, showing a piece of mica or isinglass let into the graduated scale or rule to retain the edge of the photograph to be cut. Figs. 6 and 7 show modifications of the cutters.

A, represents a flat board of any convenient size, to one end of which is secured one blade B, of a pair of cutters, this blade at its rear end formed with a projection b, to which is at C'fulcrumed the blade B. By thisconstruction the edges of the cutters come into contact and commence to out very near the fulcrum C. The cutter B is provided with a handle I), to operate the same.

On one side of the board A, at right angles with the cutters is secured a graduated scaleor rule D, by means of which the photograph can be cut to the desired size.

The cutting edges of the cutters I form concave, as shown in Fig. 4, by means of which a sharp cutting edge is retained by said cutters.

Photographs after they have been developed usually curl at their edges, and in such cases it is diflicult to hold their edges in proper contact with the graduated scale or rule D. In order to overcome this difficulty I run a saw cut in the edge of the graduated scale or ruleD, and insert therein a strip of mica, isinglass or other transparent substance E, (as shown in Fig. 5) the'outer edge of which projects a short distance beyond the edge of the scale D, so that when cutting a photograph with a curled edge it is inserted under the said transparent substance, and held practically fiat so that it can be adjusted to the required gage.

If desired the cutters B, B, may be formed of iron or brass and a small strip of steel b inserted in each of their cutting edges as shown in Fig. 6. By this construction the steel strips can be readily removed and replaced by new ones when worn out.

Instead of forming the lower cutter only with a projection to fulcrum the upper cutter thereto as before described they may be each formed with a wedge shaped projection b as shown in Fig. 7, in which case the fulcrum would be arranged on a line with their cutting edges.

To use this cutting machine one edge of the photograph is first trimmed off square with thepicture. Thistrimmededgeisthen placed against the graduated scale and the side cut at right angles thereto. The two other edges are then cut in a similar manner, the desired size being determined by the graduated scale. Thus it will be seen that a photograph can be readily and easily trimmed to any desired size and with exactness as to the measurements.

If desired to protect the fingers from coming into contact with the cutters, a small bar may be secured to the board A, over the bottom cutter B, and nearly in contact with the cutter B, so that the photograph being trimmed may be passed under said finger guard as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

' What I claim isl. A machine for trimming or cutting photographs, consisting of a flat bed plate, a pair of cutting blades secured to one end thereof,

one end of one of which blades projects beblades, the inner edge of which is provided with an overhanging portion, substantially as set forth.

2. A machine for cutting or trimming photographs, consisting of a fiat bed plate, a cut ting blade rigidly secured to one end thereof, a cutting blade pivotally secured to the rigid blade at one end and having its opposite end projecting beyond the edge of the said plate and provided with a handle, and a rule secured to the top of the bed plate adjacent to the pivotal point of the cutting blades and at right angles thereto, the inner edge of which rule is provided with an overhanging portion, substantially as set forth.

3. A machine for trimming or cutting pho- 

